The best Fitbits to buy in 2019: Which is best for you?

So you've decided you want a Fitbit. As it stands, you have the choice of a whole bunch of trackers and fitness focussed smartwatches, which all connect to the Fitbit app, work with iPhone and Android phones and cover the basics of activity and sleep tracking.

Where they differ is on design, price and features such as heart rate monitoring, waterproofing, contactless smartwatch payments and built-in GPS. So which Fitbit is right for you depends on whether you're looking for a companion for walking, running, swimming or gym workouts. Essentially, the cheaper the device, the fewer features you'll get but it's not always that simple.

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Do you do enough varied forms of fitness to warrant splashing out for a Versa? Perhaps you’re training towards a major goal that requires the all-singing, all-dancing Ionic? Or maybe you seldom exercise and need something a little low key to wear everyday, such as the Fitbit Alta HR, for when you do hit the gym?

Whatever it is, this Fitbit buyers guide will help you narrow things down in your decision-making process. Read on to find out which Fitbit is the best for you.

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WIRED Recommends: Fitbit Alta HR

Pros: Great battery life; stylish; reliable; fantastic Fitbit app Cons: Not waterproof; not as feature rich as other Fitbits

Designed to look more like a bracelet than a tracker, the Fitbit Alta HR, our current best fitness tracker, is available in six colour ways from understated black to pink and rose gold, with special editions and accessory bands which are available to buy separately. Design wise, it’s sleek, lightweight and super comfortable, not taking up too much wrist space.

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In terms of features, the Alta HR edition brings onboard fresh heart rate-tracking skills compared to its predecessor, which help make it a much more well-rounded fitness companion for those looking beyond a simple step count. There’s the option to track steps, calories, sleep – including how long you spend in the different sleep states such as light, deep and REM – automatic workout tracking and even the ability to receive smartphone notifications.

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The Alta HR is therefore a great device for those looking to develop and maintain a basic level of fitness rather than striving towards a massive fitness goal, like a triathlon, for example. As for battery life, it's officially up to seven days but we find that this can be anywhere between four days and a week. The only real downside? It's not waterproof.

A buyer's guide note: Fitbit seems to be phasing out the Alta HR - if you go to buy it on the UK site, it currently redirects to the Inspire and Inspire HR. It is still on sale from a number of retailers, though, and remains our top pick.

Best for running: Fitbit Ionic

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With a retail price of £299, the Ionic is the most expensive Fitbit out there. However, if you care less about style and more about performance, we think it does justify the higher price, which has come down from launch.

Not only is it really comfortable to wear, but the Ionic is brimming with features that make it brilliant for working out, running or training for an event such as onboard-GPS to accurately track runs and water resistance to 50m for swim tracking. It also packs lots of functions that aren't so fitness-focused, such as NFC payments via the Fitbit Pay app, and 2.5GB of storage for music (300 songs) and podcasts, all of which work a treat.

As for the all-important battery life, the Ionic holds up pretty well, especially compared to its major rivals like the Apple Watch Series 4. Obviously, it’s dependent on how much you use its 1.42-inch screen throughout the week but we were rather impressed with its stamina. On average, when completing one to two workouts per day, the Ionic lasted just short of three days.

All-in-all, if you're looking for a wearable to track your health though, the Ionic is a great addition to any workout. Non-health nuts looking for a smartwatch as an extension of their smartphones would probably get just as much out of the Fitbit Versa.

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The main difference between the Charge 3 and the smartwatch-style devices on this list is its 38mm monochromatic screen. It does a decent job at displaying information clearly despite its small size, and even in bright environments.

And while it isn’t as compelling to look at when compared to some full-colour rivals, it does ensure battery drain is kept to a minimum. You’ll find the Charge 3 lasts for just under a week with pretty much constant use, which is pretty good for any sports-tracking wearable, in our book. That's partly because there's no onboard GPS.

What makes the Fitbit Charge 3 worth considering is that it’s offering really great, premium fitness tracking features, packaged rather nicely with a well-designed app, for just under £130. You can’t complain about that.

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While its feature set isn’t quite on par with that of the Ionic, Fitbit’s Versa feels very much a similar fitness watch in a lighter and friendlier design - just with softer, more rounded edges.

It also brings a clear and bright screen, with some fun beginner-friendly animations, and touch commands are responsive. There's no lag here. You also get Fitbit's improved heart rate sensor, smartphone notifications on the larger 1.34-inch screen, and all the standard app and tracking offerings you'd expect from a Fitbit tracker.

The Versa isn't quite as impressive on battery as the Ionic - in use, though, we found that it marries up to Fitbit's claim of four days - and GPS is missing too.

What makes the Versa really special is that you can pick up some really great, intuitive fitness tracking features for just under £200. Basically, it’s a great option for those that really wanted the Ionic but thought it was just that bit too pricey to justify it.

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While the original Versa and Versa Special Edition have three buttons (one on their left side and two on their right), the Lite edition only has one. And you're not actually losing any functionality, though, as you can perform the same actions using the Lite's touchscreen controls. Its interface is also a little smoother, and easier to use, as a result.

The other main difference is that the Lite is also available in four new colours: white, lilac, blue, and purple. On the inside, you’ll find the Lite edition doesn’t include NFC, meaning you can’t make use of Fitbit Pay, and there’s no swim tracking here either, but it’s £50 cheaper for your troubles - at least.

Fitbit is pitching the Versa Lite at people who are hesitant to buy more expensive, fully featured smartwatches and this very accessible smartwatch does hit a particular sweet spot.

The budget alternative: Fitbit Inspire HR

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Pros: Light; swimproof; does the basics well Cons: Lags behind Alta HR in several areas

We said Fitbit is phasing out the fantastic Alta HR and it's the Inspire HR that's replacing it.

Both are light, easy to use all-round fitness trackers but the Inspire HR is not our current pick mainly down to the new design and screen which we think are a slight step backwards. It's not quite as comfortable as the Alta HR on the wrist, the display is not the most responsive you can get on a Fitbit and it looks cheaper and more toy-like too. Battery life is also up to five days, rather than seven.

That said, there are some improvements. It's waterproof, for one thing, and some people, such as older fitness junkies, may appreciate the fact there's a button on the left hand edge to use for navigation alongside swiping. There's 24/7 heart rate tracking which makes for useful resting heart rate charts in the app over time - there's also a cheaper version without the heart rate monitor if you're content with steps and sleep tracking.

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The Inspire HR appears to already be Fitbit's go-to tracker under £100 and while it's worth a look, as long as the Alta HR is available, that should be your first pick.